Ten Fastest Players in the NBA

Speed in the NBA is useless without mad handles. That's why this list will focus on players with speed and the ability to handle the ball at those high speeds. One should also note that rookies and college players might overuse their speed; it's all part of the maturing process. In order of fastest from the top:

• Derrick Rose
• Aaron Brooks
• Devin Harris
• Darren Collison
• Monta Ellis
• Chris Paul
• T.J. Ford
• Leandro Barbosa
• Tony Parker
• Steve Nash

Derrick Rose is notorious for being a very explosive player. He can use speed alone to drive by his defenders. Aaron Brooks similarly puts on a show for the Houston Rockets, and is an extremely slippery guy to defend. Devin Harris holds the record for dribbling baseline-to-baseline. But he lands at 3^rd because his handles are less impressive, and he doesn't play a fast tempo game with passing either. Moreover, nobody worthy has yet challenged that Guinness world record, maybe he should be 4^th. Darren Collison put on a show of quickness in New Orleans during Chris Paul's injury. Some of his replays are jaw-dropping. Monta Ellis is one of the shorter shooting-guards in the league, but makes up for it by a number of ways; one of those is speed. T.J. Ford has been speedy throughout his whole career, which is impressive in itself, because normally rookies will show off their quickness and gradually slow during their years in the NBA. Leandro Barbosa is an integral part of the Phoenix Suns, and a main reason why they play such an up-tempo game. He is the quickest small-forward in the NBA by far, screw LeBron James on this one. Tony Parker might have been the fastest player at one point in his career, but he now contributes a more well-rounded game, and still plays at a very high level. Steve Nash is on this list because, while may not be the fastest sprinter, his quick passing skills are sure to dazzle your wits. Plus, Nash is a warrior, you can't teach that. He thinks a step ahead of everyone else, which is worth noting too.

Think you can assemble a team that might play a quicker game than this? Good luck:

• PG: Derrick Rose
• SG: Monta Ellis
• SF: Rudy Gay
• PF: Chris Bosh
• C: Javale McGee

The content of this whole hub is up for discussion, who do you think the fastest player is? Who were you thinking of when you entered 'other' in the poll? Speak up.

Now, just for fun. HoopBot brings you the slowest of the slow:

• PG: Tyreke Evans
• SG: Wally Szczerbiak
• SF: Paul Pierce
• PF: Glen Davis
• C: Yao Ming